I hear a lot of people trash Hayden's performance as Anakin, but, was he really THAT bad? I for one thought he did a fantastic job in ROTS regardless of GL's dialogue you can see the emotion and conflict in his actions and facial expressions that there was a lot going on besides what was spoken. AOTC is another story

Pretty much agree. He made HUGE improvements in ROTS. He was just OK in AOTC; partially to do with the movie and his part in that movie.

It is notable that the same could be said for Hamill going from SW to ROTJ; he wasn't that great in SW, but really improved in ROTJ.

I hear a lot of people trash Hayden's performance as Anakin, but, was he really THAT bad? I for one thought he did a fantastic job in ROTS regardless of GL's dialogue you can see the emotion and conflict in his actions and facial expressions that there was a lot going on besides what was spoken. AOTC is another story

Pretty much agree. He made HUGE improvements in ROTS. He was just OK in AOTC; partially to do with the movie and his part in that movie.

It is notable that the same could be said for Hamill going from SW to ROTJ; he wasn't that great in SW, but really improved in ROTJ.

Agreed. Only difference is that unlike the original trilogy, people seemed to actually LOOK for things about to prequel trilogy to complain about.... as im sure will happen with 7, 8, and 9

I hear a lot of people trash Hayden's performance as Anakin, but, was he really THAT bad? I for one thought he did a fantastic job in ROTS regardless of GL's dialogue you can see the emotion and conflict in his actions and facial expressions that there was a lot going on besides what was spoken. AOTC is another story

Pretty much agree. He made HUGE improvements in ROTS. He was just OK in AOTC; partially to do with the movie and his part in that movie.

It is notable that the same could be said for Hamill going from SW to ROTJ; he wasn't that great in SW, but really improved in ROTJ.

Agreed. Only difference is that unlike the original trilogy, people seemed to actually LOOK for things about to prequel trilogy to complain about.... as im sure will happen with 7, 8, and 9

Yeah, that is just sad. I'm sure there is a big group of people that will cry foul no matter what, and will find fault with the movie like they did with Hayden's acting. I am optimistic though as far as the movies; I think the makers are keenly aware of the real weaknesses of TPM (e.g. JJ Binks type of characters) and will steer clear; I think Disney/Lucas's new people will be careful because they know a lot is riding on this first movie.

I hear a lot of people trash Hayden's performance as Anakin, but, was he really THAT bad? I for one thought he did a fantastic job in ROTS regardless of GL's dialogue you can see the emotion and conflict in his actions and facial expressions that there was a lot going on besides what was spoken. AOTC is another story

Pretty much agree. He made HUGE improvements in ROTS. He was just OK in AOTC; partially to do with the movie and his part in that movie.

It is notable that the same could be said for Hamill going from SW to ROTJ; he wasn't that great in SW, but really improved in ROTJ.

Agreed. Only difference is that unlike the original trilogy, people seemed to actually LOOK for things about to prequel trilogy to complain about.... as im sure will happen with 7, 8, and 9

Yeah, that is just sad. I'm sure there is a big group of people that will cry foul no matter what, and will find fault with the movie like they did with Hayden's acting. I am optimistic though as far as the movies; I think the makers are keenly aware of the real weaknesses of TPM (e.g. JJ Binks type of characters) and will steer clear; I think Disney/Lucas's new people will be careful because they know a lot is riding on this first movie.

I really hope so... but the sad reality of it is, that it is STAR WARS and no matter what they do with it fans will pay to see it thats why they bought out Lucasfilm for 4 billion its easy money

I hear a lot of people trash Hayden's performance as Anakin, but, was he really THAT bad? I for one thought he did a fantastic job in ROTS regardless of GL's dialogue you can see the emotion and conflict in his actions and facial expressions that there was a lot going on besides what was spoken. AOTC is another story

Pretty much agree. He made HUGE improvements in ROTS. He was just OK in AOTC; partially to do with the movie and his part in that movie.

It is notable that the same could be said for Hamill going from SW to ROTJ; he wasn't that great in SW, but really improved in ROTJ.

Agreed. Only difference is that unlike the original trilogy, people seemed to actually LOOK for things about to prequel trilogy to complain about.... as im sure will happen with 7, 8, and 9

Yeah, that is just sad. I'm sure there is a big group of people that will cry foul no matter what, and will find fault with the movie like they did with Hayden's acting. I am optimistic though as far as the movies; I think the makers are keenly aware of the real weaknesses of TPM (e.g. JJ Binks type of characters) and will steer clear; I think Disney/Lucas's new people will be careful because they know a lot is riding on this first movie.

I really hope so... but the sad reality of it is, that it is STAR WARS and no matter what they do with it fans will pay to see it thats why they bought out Lucasfilm for 4 billion its easy money

True, but I think it depends more on what Lucas's former company does than Disney. Disney is known for allowing creative freedom and not micromanaging movies, like they did with Marvel and their various super hero movies. The hope is that they will do the same with Star Wars, and Lucas's former company will do the right thing. Sorry to get off topic from the thread, hopeful discussion though.

I hear a lot of people trash Hayden's performance as Anakin, but, was he really THAT bad? I for one thought he did a fantastic job in ROTS regardless of GL's dialogue you can see the emotion and conflict in his actions and facial expressions that there was a lot going on besides what was spoken. AOTC is another story

Absolutely. He did as well as anyone could do with some..ahem...difficult dialogue. In fact, I'd go so far as to say his performance was better than his leading lady's. But truthfully, any shortcomings the cast really can't be blamed on them.

I hear a lot of people trash Hayden's performance as Anakin, but, was he really THAT bad? I for one thought he did a fantastic job in ROTS regardless of GL's dialogue you can see the emotion and conflict in his actions and facial expressions that there was a lot going on besides what was spoken. AOTC is another story

Absolutely. He did as well as anyone could do with some..ahem...difficult dialogue. In fact, I'd go so far as to say his performance was better than his leading lady's. But truthfully, any shortcomings the cast really can't be blamed on them.

Especially when you look at the past performance of some of those actors.

Pretty much agree. He made HUGE improvements in ROTS. He was just OK in AOTC; partially to do with the movie and his part in that movie.

It is notable that the same could be said for Hamill going from SW to ROTJ; he wasn't that great in SW, but really improved in ROTJ.

Agreed. Only difference is that unlike the original trilogy, people seemed to actually LOOK for things about to prequel trilogy to complain about.... as im sure will happen with 7, 8, and 9

Yeah, that is just sad. I'm sure there is a big group of people that will cry foul no matter what, and will find fault with the movie like they did with Hayden's acting. I am optimistic though as far as the movies; I think the makers are keenly aware of the real weaknesses of TPM (e.g. JJ Binks type of characters) and will steer clear; I think Disney/Lucas's new people will be careful because they know a lot is riding on this first movie.

I really hope so... but the sad reality of it is, that it is STAR WARS and no matter what they do with it fans will pay to see it thats why they bought out Lucasfilm for 4 billion its easy money

True, but I think it depends more on what Lucas's former company does than Disney. Disney is known for allowing creative freedom and not micromanaging movies, like they did with Marvel and their various super hero movies. The hope is that they will do the same with Star Wars, and Lucas's former company will do the right thing. Sorry to get off topic from the thread, hopeful discussion though.

If they go that rout I have full faith in it because Lucas already wrote outlines and talked with other writers and planned this whole thing out way before he sold.

I hear a lot of people trash Hayden's performance as Anakin, but, was he really THAT bad? I for one thought he did a fantastic job in ROTS regardless of GL's dialogue you can see the emotion and conflict in his actions and facial expressions that there was a lot going on besides what was spoken. AOTC is another story

Absolutely. He did as well as anyone could do with some..ahem...difficult dialogue. In fact, I'd go so far as to say his performance was better than his leading lady's. But truthfully, any shortcomings the cast really can't be blamed on them.

if you asked me Haydens performance is what made those movies so interesting...I mean he played the most important character in the whole trilogy I wasnt dissapoited one bit!

He was nominated for a Golden Globe for Life as a House, and as I see it, his character in that film, Sam Monroe, was like an AOTC Anakin on steroids.

I do think that some people had different expectations for Anakin's character and the criticism regarding Anakin's character not meeting preset expectations, got transferred to Hayden's acting.

Another point, Hayden's character in Higher Ground, his only serious work (that I'm aware of) prior to AOTC, was also an angsty, angry, melodramatic teenager. I believe that characterization is what Lucas was aiming for.

I stopped keeping up with Hayden's work after Shattered Glass (and I found his character horribly unlikable in that film). I saw Jumper but didn't care that much for it; never saw Awake.

I completely agree with you, although i did enjoy jumper quite a bit....I have been meaning to see takers (i think thats what its called?) but i lost my copy of it someplace.
I think the way george introduced Anakin in his younger adulthood gave everyone a bad impression. Your firsy impression of ANYBODY is the most important and will stick with them or a long time

Just wanted to let you know if you haven't seen Takers yet, they didn't utilize him enough to get a good call on his acting. And yes, in Shatterd Glass he was unlikeable, but the real Stephen Glass was just like that. I saw him on 60 Minutes, a real sleaze. So he did well for what he had to portray.

For the most part, he did a good job. At least he tried - unlike Portman, who seemed bored out of her mind half of the time (kind of like Carrie in ROTJ). It's not really his fault he got the worst lines in the entire saga and was asked by George to speak monotone - two things he gets the most flak for. When he needs to be emotional (confession, Mustafar) , he delivers 200%. When he's allowed to be more relaxed (ROTS opening) he's great, too. He's never wooden: you can always read his emotions in any given moment.

I agree. Hayden did have really good scenes: the confession of the Tusken genocide, at his mother's grave, when he screams he hates Obi Wan, and my personal best, when Obi Wan is telling him the council wants him to spy on Palpatine. That was a great scene for Hayden that most people don't remember. It was toned down but showed every bit of frustration and resentment he had. I don't think I can say there was a good scene for Portman who to me was far more wooden and it her acting rather than the material that was the problem. Prime example would the scene where she was telling Anakin about school retreat and swimming. The lines she had weren't bad; she just delivered them poorly so it didn't sound as if she loved the water and loved swimming.

He was nominated for a Golden Globe for Life as a House, and as I see it, his character in that film, Sam Monroe, was like an AOTC Anakin on steroids.

I do think that some people had different expectations for Anakin's character and the criticism regarding Anakin's character not meeting preset expectations, got transferred to Hayden's acting.

Another point, Hayden's character in Higher Ground, his only serious work (that I'm aware of) prior to AOTC, was also an angsty, angry, melodramatic teenager. I believe that characterization is what Lucas was aiming for.

I stopped keeping up with Hayden's work after Shattered Glass (and I found his character horribly unlikable in that film). I saw Jumper but didn't care that much for it; never saw Awake.

I completely agree with you, although i did enjoy jumper quite a bit....I have been meaning to see takers (i think thats what its called?) but i lost my copy of it someplace.
I think the way george introduced Anakin in his younger adulthood gave everyone a bad impression. Your firsy impression of ANYBODY is the most important and will stick with them or a long time

Just wanted to let you know if you haven't seen Takers yet, they didn't utilize him enough to get a good call on his acting. And yes, in Shatterd Glass he was unlikeable, but the real Stephen Glass was just like that. I saw him on 60 Minutes, a real sleaze. So he did well for what he had to portray.

For the most part, he did a good job. At least he tried - unlike Portman, who seemed bored out of her mind half of the time (kind of like Carrie in ROTJ). It's not really his fault he got the worst lines in the entire saga and was asked by George to speak monotone - two things he gets the most flak for. When he needs to be emotional (confession, Mustafar) , he delivers 200%. When he's allowed to be more relaxed (ROTS opening) he's great, too. He's never wooden: you can always read his emotions in any given moment.

I agree. Hayden did have really good scenes: the confession of the Tusken genocide, at his mother's grave, when he screams he hates Obi Wan, and my personal best, when Obi Wan is telling him the council wants him to spy on Palpatine. That was a great scene for Hayden that most people don't remember. It was toned down but showed every bit of frustration and resentment he had. I don't think I can say there was a good scene for Portman who to me was far more wooden and it her acting rather than the material that was the problem. Prime example would the scene where she was telling Anakin about school retreat and swimming. The lines she had weren't bad; she just delivered them poorly so it didn't sound as if she loved the water and loved swimming.

What about the scene with him and Palpatine right before he confesses he is the sith lord? another good one

Hayden is absolutely amazing as Anakin. Literally everything about his demeanor, the way he talks the way he gestures and carry's himself is all exactly Vader. The way he talks, everything. All I can see and hear is the young Darth Vader. You can tell he studied these things about Vader in the films to work them into his performance. He is second ONLY to Ewan Mcgregor when it comes to method acting in the Saga --and thats saying something!

He can give off SO MUCH emotion in his performances in such subtle ways. Things like the tuskin confessions scene are amazing examples of this. He crys genuinely, he shivers, he actually shakes while delivering the lines. Its so powerful.

Even when it comes to lines that some find "corny" there is still so much behind them. Like in the love story between him and padme in AOTC. Like I have said elsewhere:

Take the scene from AOTC where anakin says the "sand" line that all the hateboys try to use as some kind of example of bad acting. In REALITY, for what it was that the scene was trying to convey, the line is actually very clever and character driven...

Padme is describing her childhood growing up on Naboo, she goes on to say how one of her nicest memory's is lying on the sand enjoying the Naboo sun with her friends. Anakin then says he doesn't like sand and its BECAUSE he comes from a planet made up of sand, he comes from a hard, rough life of slavery. Its simply his way of saying "well I don't like my childhood...but I do like you" It is a simple metaphor for how he regards his past as well as contrasting their homes and drastically different childhoods. In fact, if anything its an awesome line.

See...the line or the inflection in which it was delivered doesn't do ANY harm to the movie...but the hateboys DO.

Seeing the handsome Hayden Christensen with long hair, yellow sith eyes, black robes, a blue lightsaber, with his beautiful voice, being Young Darth Vader, is the reason the prequel trilogy is awesome, just as good as originals, it made up for everything bad in the prequels.

We truly lucked out. No one could have been Luke Skywalker's father better than Hayden.

My opinion is that it was not Hayden's fault Anakin's character was written backwards.
From the movies alone (except parts of TPM), Anakin was never shown as a "good guy" - always irritated with his master, always questioning him, quick to do dumb action hero stuff, a liar, a mass murderer, disobeying orders and Jedi rules, putting others aside for his own personal gain, obsessed with stalking a woman, vengeful, easily manipulated and the list can continue. And all these BEFORE he officially became Darth Vader!
By watching the movies alone, it is very hard to believe that THIS guy is the Chosen One (whatever that means).
But the way the character turned up was not really Hayden's fault. You can see him trying to act his best and to fit in the characters shoes.

My opinion is that it was not Hayden's fault Anakin's character was written backwards.
From the movies alone (except parts of TPM), Anakin was never shown as a "good guy" - always irritated with his master, always questioning him, quick to do dumb action hero stuff, a liar, a mass murderer, disobeying orders and Jedi rules, putting others aside for his own personal gain, obsessed with stalking a woman, vengeful, easily manipulated and the list can continue. And all these BEFORE he officially became Darth Vader!
By watching the movies alone, it is very hard to believe that THIS guy is the Chosen One (whatever that means).
But the way the character turned up was not really Hayden's fault. You can see him trying to act his best and to fit in the characters shoes.

Hayden wasnt given bad dialogue and roles in Episode 3. Episode 3 was my favorite star wars movie out of the entire saga. It was the best. I agree. The horrible dialogue in episode 2 wasnt haydens fault. It was the guy who wrote the script. Hayden, as any other actor, like james franco, agrees to go along with it.

Yeah. The only time Anakin was shown as a good guy, he was a whiny 9 yr old kid. He looked too short and young to be nine though. He looked like a 7 yr old. I thought Lucas said he was 10. But as much as i hated young kiddy anakin that did little to advance the story as a hero, it was nessecary to show him that way, for reasons I don't feel like explaining now, but I'll explain to you tommorow...

My opinion is that it was not Hayden's fault Anakin's character was written backwards.
From the movies alone (except parts of TPM), Anakin was never shown as a "good guy" - always irritated with his master, always questioning him, quick to do dumb action hero stuff, a liar, a mass murderer, disobeying orders and Jedi rules, putting others aside for his own personal gain, obsessed with stalking a woman, vengeful, easily manipulated and the list can continue. And all these BEFORE he officially became Darth Vader!
By watching the movies alone, it is very hard to believe that THIS guy is the Chosen One (whatever that means).
But the way the character turned up was not really Hayden's fault. You can see him trying to act his best and to fit in the characters shoes.

Agree that he wasn't very likable (intentionally so). Keep in mind that a when he disobeyed orders it was usually to help others (his mother, his mentor, his lover). Not that different from Luke's actions in ESB.

Even the role he was given wasn't bad, I loved the emotional Mustafar dialogue. "You will try".. "You will not take her from me". "My new Empire". And, the homage to Empire strikes back, he tells pregnant (with luke and leia), Padme, "I can overthrow the Chancellor, and together you and I can rule the galaxy". "You're breaking my heart", or "you turned her against me".

All of that dialogue was simple, melodramatic, and powerful, but it worked in that situation. Let's agree to disagree. But let's also agree on this-with melodramatic emotional dialogue, you either love it (Me!), or hate it (most star wars fans )

With extreme stuff like that, you either love it or hate. Just like different kinds of music like heavy metal. Agree?

My opinion is that it was not Hayden's fault Anakin's character was written backwards.
From the movies alone (except parts of TPM), Anakin was never shown as a "good guy" - always irritated with his master, always questioning him, quick to do dumb action hero stuff, a liar, a mass murderer, disobeying orders and Jedi rules, putting others aside for his own personal gain, obsessed with stalking a woman, vengeful, easily manipulated and the list can continue. And all these BEFORE he officially became Darth Vader!
By watching the movies alone, it is very hard to believe that THIS guy is the Chosen One (whatever that means).
But the way the character turned up was not really Hayden's fault. You can see him trying to act his best and to fit in the characters shoes.

You just made some excellent points. It was not Hayden's fault..

Also, what's up with the whole tragic hero plot element? You can't have a tragic hero without the hero part first. Anakin didn't seem like a hero. Even Spiderman would make a better hero than him. Agree?

I don't think he was a stalker, but he was kinda vengeful towards the Tusken Raiders. Padme had double standards, to the extreme. When Anakin killed Jedi younglings for cheap shock value of fans, Padme died of a broken heart. When Anakin killed tuskein raiders, including women and children, Padme didn't really seem that affected by it. What order and rule did he disobey? The Chosen One means he kills the Sith. Darth Vader turned to the light side of the force, destroying his sith persona, and killed Palpatine in Return of the Jedi.

I mean, in Episode 3, Padme is like this, when she finds out what Anakin does to the Jedi, and the younglings.

When she finds out what he did to innocent Tusken Raiders, (not all of them hurt Shmi, some were innocent)

Oh, really - maybe I need to check my gender. Yup, female, no, don't hate. I don't like the way Anakin was characterized in AoTC (and ROTS was not quite able to wipe out that impression) - Hayden did well as directed/scripted: his adolescent fits were somewhat cringe-worthy but his "loosing it" was far better.

Oh, and Ewan: good looking (IMHO). Yup, female. No, don't hate.

Gee, I guess at least one woman doesn't hate a male actor because he's "good looking."

Oh, really - maybe I need to check my gender. Yup, female, no, don't hate. I don't like the way Anakin was characterized in AoTC (and ROTS was not quite able to wipe out that impression) - Hayden did well as directed/scripted: his adolescent fits were somewhat cringe-worthy but his "loosing it" was far better.

Oh, and Ewan: good looking (IMHO). Yup, female. No, don't hate.

Gee, I guess at least one woman doesn't hate a male actor because he's "good looking."

I think what that poster meant was that men hated Hayden because their women thought he was hot.